This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Since all 10 teams in action Tuesday were on the second leg of a back-to-back, there are no teams on a back-to-back Wednesday. We are oh-so-close to the end of the regular season, but don't let these opportunities to rack up some DFS wins pass you by. Here are some players to target, and to avoid, for your lineup.
GOALIE
Jordan Binnington, STL vs. ANA ($30): Binnington's numbers have gotten worse every season of his career, and this year he's down to a 2.68 GAA and .910 save percentage. That being said, recently he's shown some of those rookie-season skills, as over his last 12 games he has a 2.45 GAA and .923 save percentage. Ultimately, though, this is about the fact the Ducks have averaged a paltry 2.19 goals per game.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Igor Shesterkin, NYR vs. WAS ($35): Shesterkin has shown that his brief appearance in the NHL last season was no fluke, as he has a 2.53 GAA after having a 2.51 GAA last year. This is a tricky matchup, though, as the Capitals have scored 3.42 goals per game and have Alex Ovechkin back (and Tom Wilson didn't get suspended for his latest hijinks). In fact, Shesterkin's last start came against the Capitals, and he allowed five goals on 39 shots.
CENTER
Nick Suzuki, MON at OTT ($18): Suzuki has a six-game point streak, which includes two games in which he has tallied three points. He's been torrid on the power play as well, with four power-play points in his last three contests. In recent weeks, the Senators have actually risen up the rankings and no longer have the highest GAA in the NHL. Of course, they still have a 3.40 GAA, so this isn't exactly a tough team to face.
CENTER TO AVOID
Logan Couture, SAN vs. COL ($14): Couture has scored 17 goals in 52 games, which is interesting because he had 16 goals in 52 games last year. However, this has been a worse campaign, as he has 14 assists this year after having 23 last season, and he's shooting less often too. Philipp Grubauer is back and hopefully he is in the swing of things for the Avalanche, as he has a 2.00 GAA and .920 save percentage.
WING
Filip Forsberg, NAS at CLM ($21): Forsberg has returned to action and given the Predators a much needed boost offensively. The Swede has two points and seven shots on net in two games since returning. He's put 123 shots on goal in 36 games, which is worth noting because the Blue Jackets have allowed 32.3 shots on net per contest. They also have a 3.26 GAA.
Andre Burakovsky, COL at SAN ($18): Burakovsky has got a lot going for him even if he doesn't get the spotlight for Colorado. He's started 60.2 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, more than any forward on the team outside of that famed top line, and there are teams where that number would lead the way. He's also been hot recently, with 15 points in his last 16 contests. That includes three points in his last two games, both against San Jose, which isn't surprising given that San Jose has a 3.42 GAA.
WINGS TO AVOID
Ondrej Palat, TAM vs. DAL ($23): Palat had a nice seven-game point streak going but he was held without a point twice by the Detroit Red Wings in his last two games. This will be a tougher matchup than that. The Stars have a 2.54 GAA, but more notably they have only allowed 27.4 shots on net per game, second fewest in the NHL.
Jason Robertson, DAL at TAM ($22): I am flipping this matchup around now to also suggest you might want to avoid Robertson and the Stars. The rookie has put up a Calder-worthy resume with 42 points in 45 games. Now, this is presuming Andrei Vasilevskiy and his .929 save percentage will be in action. He didn't play against the Red Wings, but there is some speculation it might have just been a weekend off against a team that tends to be pretty easy to beat.
DEFENSE
Seth Jones, CLM vs. NAS ($17): It's been a bit of a down year for Jones, but he has put 136 shots on net in 53 games. He's also tallied eight power-play points. The power-play upside is what I like most here, as the Predators have the 29th-ranked penalty kill.
Justin Faulk, STL vs. ANA ($17): Both Torey Krug and Vince Dunn are out at the moment, which has given Faulk more offensive opportunity, including on the power play. He's put 10 shots on goal in his last two games and just had two assists against these same Ducks, a team with a 3.15 GAA. John Gibson has a 3.31 GAA over his last season starts, and you can't rule out the possibility of Ryan Miller (.845 save percentage) getting a start given that he's announced he's retiring and the Ducks have nothing to play for.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Brent Burns, SAN vs. COL ($19): Burns used to be the preeminent shooter from the blue line in the NHL, but this year he only has 125 shots on net through 52 outings. Of course, even at his peak Burns might have had trouble in this matchup. The Avalanche have allowed a mere 25.6 shots on net per contest, fewest in the league.
Neal Pionk, WPG at CGY ($17): Pionk is dishing out assists again, with 27 helpers in 51 games. However, he's not as strong on the power play this year, as he had 25 power-play points last year and only has 10 this season. Without that production with the extra man, Pionk just isn't as much of a threat. On top of that, Jacob Markstrom has a 1.72 GAA and .930 save percentage in his last 10 contests.
